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JACKSON FELT LIKE he’d been worked over by Gaar. The only bright side was the soft, warm body curled up next to him. He didn’t have to look to know it was Kim. He recognized her scent and the feel of her. Araldo, he’d missed this. His mind tried to focus on what had happened and where he was but her hand moved on his chest and nothing mattered but her and him. Right now, he didn’t care that she shouldn’t be in a bed with him. It was quiet and they were alone. It’d be perfect if it didn’t feel like his stomach had been torn apart.
“Are you awake?” she whispered.
He hesitated before answering. If he remained quiet she might not move and he could pretend this was all there was in the world. Him. Her. And a bed.
“Jackson?” She leaned up, worry in her voice.
“Yeah, I’m awake.” Reality had arrived. He tried to sit up, but she pressed down on his shoulder, holding him in place.
“I’ll get the doctor.” She crawled out of bed.
She was dressed in a pair of dress slacks and a nice white shirt, or it had been white before it’d been splattered with blood. A lot of blood. His blood. Memories poured through his mind in splashes. He’d been in the woods near Kim’s house. He’d convinced himself it’d be the perfect place for Trinity to hide, even though deep down he knew she wouldn’t do that. Trinity would never hide. She’d know they’d worry and search for her, but the only other option was that something bad had happened to her and he refused to believe that. Plus, he’d wanted to see Kim. Life was short.
He’d been following the Remore Guards, staying far enough away that they didn’t catch his scent, when he’d seen Hugh captured by Carla and her pack. It’d been hard not to rush in to help his friend, but he’d watched and everything had been fine until...
“Wait,” he said.
She hesitated, her hand on the doorknob.
“Hugh? Is he alright?”
“Yes.” She headed back over by him. “He came here with us last night.” She sat on the bed. “Don’t you remember?”
“Some. Carla and her pack escorted Hugh and Bruno to your house.” He looked at her, but she was as confused about that as he was. “Your mom let them inside and Bruno left a few minutes later. I should’ve gone to the house right away.”
“This wasn’t your fault. It was Jethro’s.” Her eyes were like blue ice.
“But if I’d been there...” He’d waited until Carla and her Guards were in the barn and then he’d taken a longer route to the house so he wouldn’t disturb them. He hadn’t wanted to confront Carla. It’d been a stupid reason to wait and it’d almost cost Hugh his life. “As soon as I saw your brother, I got there as quickly as I could.” He’d raced through the forest and yard, not caring if anyone saw him but... “I was almost too late.” Jethro’s Guard had been climbing to his feet, so he’d slammed the guy’s head against the wall and then he’d seen Jethro. Hugh had been pinned to the floor and Jethro was ready to slice his throat. He’d yanked Jethro off Hugh, never imaging the kid would stab him. By the look on Jethro’s face, he’d been just as surprised. The rest of the night was nothing but images and feelings. Pain. Kim crying. More pain and then nothing but blackness.
“But you weren’t too late. Hugh’s fine.” She kissed him softly on the lips. “You almost died.”
“But I didn’t.” A tear trailed down her cheek and he kissed it away. “I’m fine.”
“You are not.” She started to slap his shoulder and stopped. “You almost died.”
Her voice cracked and he tugged on her hand, pulling her close as she sobbed against his chest. He was in so much trouble. He wasn’t sure he was strong enough to send her away again.
A few minutes later she sat up, wiping her face. “I’m going to get the doctor and get you something to eat.”
“Bring Hugh back with you.” At her quizzical look he explained, “I need to tell him about Trinity.”
“He doesn’t know?”
“I doubt it.”
“How does he not know?”
“He’s been away. We’ve kept it from him.”
“You kept it from him? You had no right to do that.”
He tried to sit up again but stopped. It hurt too badly. “He had to run his tests. He was already at the lab. If we’d told him, he’d have left and it isn’t like he’s a great help in the forest.”
She frowned but nodded. “Then you need to wait a little longer.”
“Why?”
“We’re stuck here until the doctor says you can leave. We don’t need him taking off on his own.”
“You’re right.” He’d felt bad about not telling him before but he, Bo and Tim had discussed it and had sent Clacker, one of Birdie’s nephews, to Townsend with the message. Now, he felt even worse for continuing to keep it from him.
Kim left and came back a few minutes later, carrying a tray and followed by a short, older Almighty, Hugh, and the rich Almighty Kim was dating.
“I’m Doctor Kalper. We met last night.” The older Almighty smiled as he stopped by the bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine. Great.”
“I doubt that.” Kalper chuckled. “But that’s the typical answer from all my Guard patients.” He removed Jackson’s bandage, cleaned the wound, applied salve, covered the wound with a clean bandage and then wrapped gauze around it to keep it in place.
The salve had been cool and had stung a bit but now the area was growing numb. “I like that stuff.” Jackson nodded at the container of ointment.
“Yes, a nice little concoction.” Kalper handed it to Kim. “Put this on him when he’s going to rest.” He glanced at Jackson. “You don’t want him feeling too good if he’s going to be up and about. Guards have a tendency to re-injure themselves.” His brows lifted. “They think they’re fine when they’re not.”
“Ah...she won’t be...” The glare Kim sent him made him snap his mouth shut so fast his teeth clanked together.
“Thank you, doctor.” She took the salve and then hugged the older man. “I...I don’t know what I would’ve done if...”
“It’s okay and you’re very welcome. He’ll be good as new in a few weeks.” He patted her back and then broke away. “Now, I have other patients to see. Make yourselves at home while I’m gone.” He stopped at the door. “You shouldn’t leave before dark.”
“Thank you.” Hugh shook the doctor’s hand.
“Hurry up and win this war, Hugh.” Kalper left.
“What is that stuff?” The Almighty Kim was dating walked over to her, taking her hand in a pretense to look at the bottle of salve.
“Don’t touch her.” He had no right to say that but he didn’t care.
Hugh smiled. “Glad to see you have some spunk back.”
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“This?” Hugh’s face was turning a nice shade of purple and his lip was split open. He touched his cheek, wincing a little. “It’s nothing. I’ll be my pretty self in no time.” He sobered. “Will you be able to leave tonight?”
“Yeah.” He struggled to sit up.
“Help him.” She shoved the other Almighty toward the bed.
Jackson bared his teeth. This guy had kissed her. Put his hands on her body and as soon as he could stand, he’d kill him.
“Jackson, stop it. Davies saved your life,” said Kim.
“Well,”—Davies shrugged—“the doctor did that, but I got you here.”
He lowered his lips. He shouldn’t be angry with the guy. She needed to move on, but he still hated him. “Thank you.”
“That sounded like it hurt.” Davies grinned.
“You have no idea,” he muttered.
“I’ve got this.” Hugh helped Jackson to sit up in the bed, back resting on the headboard.
“Eat. You need your strength.” Kim placed the tray of food on his lap.
He wasn’t hungry. He just wanted to sleep. She needed to sleep too. There were deep circles under her eyes and her skin was more pale than usual.
“Please, Jackson.” She sat next to him.
He picked up the spoon and swallowed some of the soup. He’d do anything for her, even let her go.
“What happened to Jethro?” he asked between bites.
“Don’t know,” said Hugh. “We left him at his house.”
“My house,” said Kim. “Jethro has his own place now.”
“And his own troop of Guards.” He took a bite of bread. He’d been hungrier than he’d thought.
“I’d heard rumors.” Hugh sat on the spare cot. “What’s been going on since I’ve been away?” He glanced at Davies who stood by the door. “If you think we should talk about it now.”
“I’ll go get the rest of us some breakfast,” said Davies. “I don’t want to know any of this anyway.”
“I’ll help.” Hugh stood.
Davies rolled his eyes. “I swear. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You can trust him,” said Kim.
Jackson forced himself not to snarl, but he didn’t like the way she was looking at Davies, her eyes soft and warm.
“Davies and I need to talk anyway,” said Kim.
“Please. Not before breakfast.” Davies smiled at her but it was sad. “I’d never do anything to hurt Kim.” He looked at Hugh. “So, like I tried to tell you last night. I’m not going anywhere and I’m not saying anything about this night to anyone. Now, I am going to make us all some breakfast.” He left the room.
“Are you sure, Kim? If you’re wrong...” Hugh was glancing between the door and the bed.
“Davies won’t report us. I swear.” She turned her attention back to Jackson.
“I trust her, Hugh.” Jackson touched her hand.
“Trusting her isn’t the question.” Hugh stared at the door and then sat back down on the cot. “I’ve heard we’ve lost some soldiers.”
“Jethro has caught eight of our teams,” he said.
“How? I didn’t know he knew anything about wars and fighting.”
“He doesn’t,” said Kim.
“I have to disagree.” Hugh began to pace. “The maneuvers I set up wouldn’t be easily detected and the teams are trained. If he’s captured eight groups...”
“I meant that he never took any classes on it or studied it as far as I know.” She took the empty tray from Jackson’s lap.
“Well, he’s a natural then.” Hugh took the tray from Kim. “I’ll bring your breakfast when it’s done.”
“We need to discuss what we’re going to do about Jethro,”—Jackson glanced at Kim—“along with other things.”
“We have a long trip through the forest. We can talk about it then. Right now, you two need to rest. We’ll leave as soon as it’s dark.” Hugh shut the door behind him.
“He’s right. You need to sleep.” She brushed the hair off his forehead. “Let me help you lie down.” Her hands drifted around his back, skimming over his bare skin.
“I can do it.” He tried shifting downward but the muscles in his stomach screamed in protest and he groaned.
She reached under his arms and helped him settle on the mattress, her breasts pressing against his chest. His face was by her neck and he couldn’t stop himself from inhaling deeply. She dropped her hold and moved back by his side.
“You should sleep.” He ran his finger under her eye.
She caught his hand and kissed his palm.
“Kim, don’t. We can’t. You know—”
“Stop it.” Her grip tightened. “This is so stupid. I almost lost you last night. I’m not going to go away no matter what you say.” She touched his face, her fingers trailing down his cheek and across his lips. “Close your eyes and shut up for once because I’m not going to argue with you or listen to you.” She stretched out on the bed, every inch of her front pressing into his side. She wrapped his arm around her and she put her hand on his chest.
He sighed. He shouldn’t allow this, but right now he didn’t have the energy to fight with her especially since the only thing he’d ever wanted was this. Actually, he’d rather they were alone and he was feeling better but he wasn’t picky. He’d take a few moments with Kim however he could get it.